Best Cat Food For Diarrhea – A Careful Cat Owner’s Guide (Jan 2018)

C﻿leaning up your cat's mess every day isn’t the most fun, and if you’ve come home after a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is find one of your cat’s ‘presents’ on the floor.

And yes, I know the feeling of having to mop up and clean that smelly m﻿﻿ess very well! I'm okay with firm stool, but when it comes to diarrhea, it isn't only unhealthy for the cat, but a burden to me as well.

So if your cat is suffering from constant diarrhea from poor digestion, there is a solution – specialized cat food. Here’s how you can choose the best cat food for diarrhea.

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea?

You’ve probably experienced your cat having a very wet stool, and it’s no laughing matter! But why does it happen in the first place? There are several things that could cause diarrhea in cats, either mild and changeable, or serious and will require medical attention.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Irritable Bowel Disorder

A change in diet

Eating too much human food (whether given by you or stolen off of the counter)

Eating grass or bugs outside

Eating dairy

Eating chocolate (please note, chocolate can be fatal for cats!)

Internal parasites such as roundworm or ringworm

Cancer

Medication

Allergic reaction

Bacterial infection

While some of these reasons made me worry and fear for the hefty price tags on vet visits and medicine, there's nothing to worry about.

You can treat your cat's diarrhea and poor digestion through feeding it the RIGHT cat food that aids in better digestive health without the artificial ingredients.

While you can't always control what your cat eats (especially when it is sneaky like mine), you can still make the correct changes and relieve its digestion health and stool through changing the diet on a more positive note.

Get Professional Advice

Remember that while giving them better food choices is always an ideal option, don’t forget to talk about it with a veterinarian. If your cat seems sick or uncomfortable while having diarrhea, take it immediately to your veterinarian for professional advice.

Your vet can tell a lot just from a physical examination; however, they may order x-rays and blood tests as well if they deem it necessary.

Never try to self-diagnose, no matter how likely you think you are to be right, or how long you’ve owned cats.

Chances are you know your cat better than anyone else, but to protect its health for as long as possible, regular visits to the vet are imperative to your cat’s well-being; and that means taking care of it in emergency situations as well.

What To Look For In Cat Food for Diarrhea

While it’s important to buy quality cat food for all cats, if yours has digestion problems, there are certain things you should look for in the ingredients. Here are a few things to consider:

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​1. Go Organic

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Many cat food brands are manufactured in a factory with ingredients that are less than natural (in fact, the same could be said about our human food!) Foods known as GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms) can wreak havoc on our bodies, and cats are no different.

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These ingredients are foreign to the digestive system, and as such, don’t get digested properly. If you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s probably best left on the shelf. So if possible, go natural and organic.

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I urge you to purchase cat food specialized for diarrhea because feeding your cat RAW (different from organic) will end up messing up its digestive system even more!

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2. Grain-Free and More Protein

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Just like with humans, protein is an absolute necessity for cats to continue to grow healthily. Not only will they have the healthy bones and muscles, but protein is easily digestible and will pass through their systems without any trouble.

4. Look for Foods with Less Ingredients

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When reading the ingredient list, you shouldn’t feel as though you’re reading a novel. The best food lists only a handful of wholesome ingredients. That’s all that’s needed to keep your cat happy and healthy.

Does all of this sound familiar? The recommended diet for cats is also very close to our own diet recommendations from health experts! Just like us, our cats have to eat natural food filled with the nutrition they need.

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While it may be a bit different to what our body requires, it all boils down to natural and vitamin-rich food.

Focus on its water intake as well. While your cat has diarrhea, it may dehydrate it. Make sure your cat is quenched with the clean water. The cleanliness of water is critical as well, since contaminated water also causes diarrhea.

If you are traveling with your pet, be sure to pack bottled water for its sensitive stomach, as well as its cat food to soothe the digestion and diarrhea.

The timing of meals is also important. Instead of giving your cat one large meal per day, opt to give it three smaller meals to ease the digestion. Sometimes, diarrhea from overeating comes in the form of very large amounts of wet poo!

The Top Five Best Cat Food for Diarrhea

Based on my research and tests with my cat, as well as other customers’ point of views, here are the top five best cat food products for diarrhea:

What's great about Nature's Variety is that they offer cat food that is based on a a grain-free recipe. It has the perfect protein content for cats to enjoy and stay healthy with. With its nutrient-rich ingredients, this food vastly improves your cat's digestive system while sustaining its overall health.

It's grain-free, gluten-free and contains no form of corn, wheat, soy, or fillers. All in all, it contains everything your cat needs without the artificial flavoring and chemicals that harm them.

My cat's poo improved after a few days, and he had a solid stool with a good tummy that kept wanting even MORE of the food!

It's complete and balanced for ALL cats, as young as kittens to adult cats, or those who are indoor or outdoor. With its versatility and nutrition, it's worth the investment and will have your cat free from diarrhea while improving its coat with healthy fatty acids.

Royal Canin is a well-known brand for cat products, and this one holds no exception. What makes this dry food a hit for cats is that it targets sensitive digestion, with the balanced sources of fiber which helps support digestion and healthy urinary function.

So if your cat seems unhealthy because of the poor absorption of nutrients, its cat food will be able to help keep its whole body working properly and without fail.

With its specially formulated and digestible proteins, it won't only increase nutrient absorption and digestion, but prevent soft stools such as diarrhea. Plus, it's a tasty treat which cats appreciate. My cat surely does!

What sets this cat food apart is that it comes in a variety of package sizes and it is perfect for any age, may it be kittens, adults, or even senior cats! You can even choose the canned food for cats who have trouble chewing.

This cat food was made with healthy and gentle digestion in mind to ease your cat's digestive problems.

Not only does it stop indigestion, but diarrhea and soft stools as well. It prevents dehydration with its natural ingredients and added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

A clinically proven formula is used to give the desired effects. Filled with antioxidants and without any artificial ingredients, it's definitely worth the purchase.

Blue Buffalo is one of the most reputable and trusted brands for cat products, and if you're looking for something your cat will love and stay healthy with, then this is it.

I love the fact that it comes with the natural ingredients filled with the essential vitamins and minerals my cat needs for proper defecation and digestion. It has the digestible proteins for the cat to stay healthy and strong, as well as to ease the strain of its digestive system when filtering out bacteria and such.

These come in 5.5 oz. serving sizes, and you can buy in cases of 12, making it more convenient; buying in bulk is an ideal option for almost anything that has an extended expiration date, or even better, no expiration date at all.

There are six flavor choices, including chicken, turkey, lamb, and salmon. You’re sure to find a flavor that your cat loves, although you may have to experiment to find their favorite one.

The Instinct brand is the official partner of Best Friends Animal Society. As an official pet food partner, they provide more than one million meals of Instinct to adoption centers across the country.

This alone is a great reason to purchase this cat food – you’ll not only be helping your own feline, but you'll also help others while they try to find permanent homes.

Verdict

I have an automatic feeder, and this is very easy to fill, without worrying about the food going bad (I’m away for 12 hours a day, sometimes more).

I love that it’s made with wholesome ingredients like real deboned chicken and vegetables. It took a few weeks to notice a difference in the cat’s digestive system, but he seems to be doing quite well. He is a finicky eater, and she loves the flavor it brings.

Plus, with its fibers and boosted probiotics and amino acids, I won't need to worry about his digestive system anymore. A huge plus is the healthy coating. Plus, he lessened both throw ups and diarrhea.

All of the above foods are made with only the finest ingredients and can help with digestion. They make a great alternative to general store-bought brands that are made with GMO or other ingredients that are considered unhealthy.

But which one will your cat continue to eat? That’s impossible to say – you may have to try a couple of different brands before you find the one that your cat loves the most. Your cat will tell you which brand she likes best!

What has been your experience with these brands? Is there a brand that your cat loves best? How do you deal with your cat’s digestive issues?

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Hi, I’m Annie Anderson and I am a cat lover at heart. I don’t ever remember living without a cat and I have dedicated my adult life to making sure my cats stay healthy and happy, and trying to understand their behavior patterns. Because they are such complex creatures, I have come to rely on other cat owners to give me tips and tricks.

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